Calgary Olympic Oval in dire need of upgrades

The Calgary Olympic Oval is gearing up to host the ISU Speed Skating World Cup that starts tomorrow, but the Oval itself is in dire need of upgrades.

The Olympic Oval turns 38 this year, and is the oldest of three covered speed skating ovals in Canada.

The Olympic Oval’s ability to make ice is nearing the end of its lifespan, as an increasing amount of brine leaks have been found under its floor.

Oval director Mark Messer spoke with CBC, and stated “The only way to actually fix this is to replace the floor. That’s most urgent. If we cant make ice, we’re not an ice building.”

“We’ve got more leaks now, so it’s a matter of time before we have a catastrophic failure and can’t do ice.”

The Oval was completed in 1987 and was built for $40 million.

It pays for its operations from an endowment-fund investment created in 1988, and earns about $1 million annually from the university and revenue it generates from events and programming.

However, the Oval lacks the funds necessary for major upgrades and improvements.

The Oval is seeking an $60 million injection from federal and provincial governments to renovate the facility.

The renovation would include a floor replacement, ice plant upgrades, a new running track and improved accessibility people, among other improvements.